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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Chocolate and Cherry Biscotti

Today is the first reveal of a new Dessert Challenge called Behind The Curtain!
The Challenge is hosted by Sheryl, the blogger behind The Lady Behind The Curtain blog, and I am sure it will be a big success! I had such fun choosing what to make with this months ingredients, which are chocolate and cherry! Perfect for Valentine's Day, wouldn't you say? I had several different ideas, and I finally decided on a Chocolate Cherry Biscotti, and I am so happy I did. They turned out great, and they were the perfect gift for a friend!

Chocolate and Cherry Biscotti

1/2 cup Butter

3/4 cup Sugar

2 Eggs

1/4 cup Maraschino Juice

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1/2 teaspoon Orange Peel

2 3/4 cups Flour

2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup Maraschino Cherries, rough chopped

1/4 cup Pistachio Nuts, rough chopped

1/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips

4 ounces Milk Chocolate, chopped

Let's do some prep first:

Zest your orange to get your orange peel.

Chop your pistachios.A rough chop will work fine.

A rough chop is a chop where the pieces do not have to be

a consistent, matching size.

Chop your cherries. This should be a rough chop also.

Now on to your recipe:

Cream your butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time.

Mix well.

Blend in cherry juice, vanilla, and orange peel.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder,

and salt. Gradually stir this into the butter mix. Fold in the

cherries and nuts.

Add the chocolate chips.

Cover your dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate

for 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Use parchment paper, or spray your baking sheet.

Shape your dough into 2 logs that are 1 1/2" in diameter.

Place the logs on your cookie sheet and bake for

20-25 minutes, or until golden and firm.

Remove the logs from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Cut the logs into 1/2" slices and lay flat on your baking sheet.

Return to the oven and bake about 15 minutes, until golden.

Place the cookie slices on a cooling rack until completely cooled.

While your slices are cooling, melt your chocolate in a double boiler.